Attachment bracket and method of attaching a structure to a building

ABSTRACT

An attachment bracket and method of attaching a structure to a building are provided. The attachment bracket is mountable to or in a concrete foundation of a house or other structure. The bracket includes a mounting section for attaching the bracket to the structure or for inserting through foundation insulation into a foundation. The bracket further includes a support surface connected to and extending perpendicular to the mounting section. The bracket further includes a joist retaining member or joist attached to the mounting section. The mounting section includes one or more temporary support members which engage with an engagement region in the joist retaining member or joist, to temporarily support the joist or the joist retaining member in place at the proper height until the joist or the joist retaining member can be firmly secured to the mounting section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/145,115 filed May 20, 2002 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/360,065 filed Jul. 23, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,552.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an attachment bracket and method of attaching a structure to a building. More particularly, the invention concerns a mounting bracket and attachment method, which attaches a header board, rim joist or bracket to a concrete foundation of a structure for later attachment of a deck or other structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most significant concerns in attaching a deck or other structure to a building is that there is a risk that moisture may be trapped and accumulate at the point of attachment. This could set up a situation where wood members of both the structure and deck are susceptible to rot. Accordingly, a number of prior art systems and methods have been developed to minimize the probability of trapping moisture at the point of attachment of a deck to a structure.

The most common method of attaching a deck to a structure begins by installing a piece of roll flashing to the exterior sheathing of the structure. In new construction situations, this is preferably performed before siding is attached to the structure's sheathing. However, where a deck is to be attached to an existing structure, with attached siding, the siding should first be removed to expose the sheathing. After the roll flashing is attached to the sheathing, then a rim joist is attached over the roll flashing to the structure, preferably using lag bolts. The lag bolts will penetrate through the rim joist, flashing and sheathing and into a rim joist of the structure. Next, a window flashing is attached to the top of the attached rim joist to direct any moisture over the rim joist and away from the structure. Siding is then attached on top of the window flashing to complete the installation.

Although this form of deck installation has been used for many years, it is not completely fool proof. In fact, water has a unique way of finding its way into the sheathing and then to the rim joist. Water can weep and follow the lag bolts to the inside of the house. This can present significant problems in climates that experience severe temperature swings between the summer and winter months. During the winter months, water can work its way behind the siding and alternatively thaw and freeze in response to temperature fluctuations. This can weaken the joint between the deck and the structure.

In a typical home construction scenario, the structure is built and sided before a deck as well as other accessory devices are attached to the structure. Thus, in order to properly attach a deck to the structure using prior art methods, the siding contractor will either need to leave a portion of the structure unsided to allow the deck to be fastened thereto or attached siding must be removed in order to properly attach the deck to the structure. In either case, as can be appreciated, such an installation process adds complexity and coordination headaches to a construction project.

A number of prior patents disclose alternative methods of attaching a deck to a structure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,542 to Jewell discloses a deck bracket, which includes a wide flange and a narrow flange spaced apart from each other by a web. The deck bracket is then easily joined to the building, preferably by screws and the deck easily bolted to the deck bracket. The deck is thus spaced away from the building so that there can be no moisture accumulation. Jewell's method of construction includes placing the deck bracket adjacent sheathing caulking it and protecting the area with siding covering it. While the Jewell bracket does separate the deck structure from a building structure and thus reduces the possibility that moisture will be trapped between the two structures, it still requires siding modifications and caulking to prevent moisture draining down the siding of the structure from accumulating and penetrating through the screw holes attaching the bracket to the structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,156 to Newman also discloses a mounting bracket, which spaces a deck or the like away from the siding of a house or other like structure in order to prevent the accumulation of water at the joint. However, like the Jewell bracket, Newman's bracket requires modifications to the exterior siding of a structure and/or caulking or the like in order to effectively waterproof the joint between the bracket and the house structure.

An additional problem arises when using a rim joist hanging bracket in that the rim joist attachment section of the two piece bracket is not easily temporarily suspended in place vis-a-vis a support section which has been previously attached to the concrete foundation. In the case of two (2) piece hanging systems, the portion supporting the rim joist should be easily and quickly temporarily suspendable or attachable to that portion of the bracket system that is attached to the building's face.

Further, it may not be necessary to utilize a rim joist attachment section such as, for example, the case of a metal rim joist which may be designed to attached directly to the support section. In such cases, it is also desirable for a sole carpenter to be able to suspend, temporarily, a long metal or wood joist generally level on a support section previously fastened to a building's face.

Accordingly, what is needed is a deck attachment bracket and method, which eliminates the joint between a deck and/or deck bracket and the exterior siding of a house or other structure, which thereby eliminates any possibility that moisture could penetrate into the wooden house or other structure, which allows a rim joist attachment section or a support element, such as a metal or wood joist, to be temporarily suspended from the support section until the rim joist or header is inserted into the rim joist attachment section and securely fastened, and which provides for the possibility of attaching a rim joist directly to a support section already attached to a structure. Preferably, such a bracket and attachment method should be adjustable to allow a single bracket design to be compatible with a variety of deck configurations and orientations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An attachment bracket and method of attaching a structure to a building are provided. The attachment bracket is mountable to or in a concrete foundation of a house or other structure. The bracket may be mounted to an exterior or interior face of the concrete foundation. The bracket includes a mounting section for attaching the bracket to the structure or for inserting through foundation insulation into a foundation. The bracket further includes a support surface connected to and extending perpendicular to the mounting section. The bracket further includes a joist retaining member or joist attached to the mounting section. The mounting section includes one or more temporary support members which engage with an engagement region in the joist retaining member or joist, to temporarily support the joist or the joist retaining member in place at the proper height until the joist or the joist retaining member can be firmly secured to the mounting section.

It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a device or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other claims of the present invention will be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the deck attachment bracket with temporary support members, showing the bracket attached to a concrete foundation of a house or other structure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the deck attachment bracket of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a metal rim joist attached directly to the support section of a bracket with temporary support member, according to the present invention, and also illustrating the support bracket inserted through a piece of foam aligning the front face of a building or other support structure, also in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an attachment bracket 10 according to the present invention is shown. The attachment bracket 10 comprises a support section 20 and a rim joist attachment section 40. The support section 20 includes a bracket attachment member or plate 22 that fastens to or is inserted in, or otherwise securely attaches the support section 22 to an interior or exterior region of the vertical concrete foundation 25 of an existing structure or other vertical face of a structure. The bracket attachment plate 22 may be secured with a plurality of mounting holes through which fasteners are inserted. Alternatively, the bracket attachment plate 22 may be secured by molding the bracket attachment plate 22 into the concrete foundation 25 or other vertical face of a structure using, for example, but not limited to, a plurality of perforations 27 in and through which concrete flows around.

The bracket attachment plate 22 is coupled to a support member or plate 28 which is disposed perpendicular to the support section 22 and parallel to the face of a concrete foundation or structure. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, bracket attachment plate 28 includes one or more temporary support members 43. The temporary support members 43 are formed, for example, by punching a piece of metal from the bracket attachment plate 28. One or more temporary support members 43 a-43 c may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the temporary support members 43 are preferably approximately ½″ long by ⅛″ wide. The temporary support members 43 may be provided spaced apart over the length of the vertical face of the bracket attachment plate 28. In one embodiment, the temporary support members 43 may further include a protrusion or embossed region 45 which serve to “lock” the temporary support member 43 into a slot 47 provided in the support attachment member or plate 42 by punching out the slot, or other similar method. Providing one or more temporary support members 43 at various “heights” allows the user to select which height would be the best to hang or suspend a rim joist. The remaining or unused temporary support members are simply bent back into place and not used.

The rim joist attachment section 40 is comprised of at least one support attachment member or plate 42, preferably including at least one fastener hole passing therethrough to allow at least one rim joist or support (such as a post or stud) 35 to be fastened thereto using fasteners (not shown) common to the construction industry and held a spaced distance 37 from the face 50 of a vertical structure such as a concrete foundation or other structure.

The spaced distance 37 may correspond to a distance equal to the thickness of a foam or similar insulation board 52, FIG. 3. The bracket 10 may be attached to a vertical structure having such an insulation board 52 by cutting out an area (i.e. a “slot”) from the insulation board 52 sufficient to accommodate the bracket, or by otherwise inserting or pushing the bracket 10 through the insulation board 52. A plurality of fastener holes may be provided to allow a rim joist or support 35 to be fastened thereto in differing vertical positions.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a metal joist 54 may be attached directly to the bracket attachment plate 28 of the support section 20. The metal joist 54 may be suspended or disposed at the proper height on top of an appropriately selected temporary support member 43, for temporarily supporting the metal joist 54 over its length, until more permanent fasteners 56 are inserted. Subsequently, one or more cross-joists 58 are inserted into the metal joists 54 and a floor or other decking 60 may be provided on top of the cross-joists

Preferably, each of the support member 20 and the rim joist attachment section 40 of the attachment bracket 10 is formed from a single planar blank of material, such as sheet metal chosen to be an acceptable gauge to support the weight associated with a structure being supported. Of course, alternative materials, such as molded plastics, composites, castable materials, such as metals and the like may provide suitable alternatives.

Utilizing the attachment bracket 10, the disclosed invention provides a new method of attaching and/or supporting a deck or other structure to a house or other structure. The method begins by attaching a support attachment bracket 20 to a concrete foundation of the house or other structure. The bracket is designed to transmit the loads associated with a structure to the house foundation. Next, a rim joist 54 or other member 40 to be supported is attached to the attachment bracket in a manner so as to provide a desired gap between the concrete face and the structure. A deck or other structure is then constructed in accordance with prior art building methods.

Accordingly, a novel attachment bracket and method is provided, whereby the problems associated with moisture trapping and accumulation at the point of attachment is eliminated. The bracket and method allows a deck or other structure to be attached to a concrete foundation of a house or other structure, in a spaced relationship thereto, thereby eliminating the possibility that any moisture could penetrate the wooden structure of the house or other structure. In addition, temporary support members allow a joist or support bracket to be temporarily suspended while a more permanent attachment is made, thus allowing one person to utilize a system of the present invention.

As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a device or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied objects or features of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims. 

1. A support attachment bracket for use with a building foundation having at least one face substantially perpendicular to the ground, said support attachment bracket comprising: a support section having an attachment plate section disposed substantially perpendicular to the ground, and a support plate, coupled to said attachment plate section and disposed substantially perpendicular to said attachment plate section and parallel to said at least one face of said building foundation, said support including at least one temporary rim joist attachment section support member, for temporarily supporting a rim joist attachment section; and a rim joist attachment section supported by, and generally parallel with, said support plate, and including at least one rim joist attachment plate oriented parallel to and a spaced distance from said at least one face of said building foundation to which said attachment plate section will be attached, for maintaining a longitudinal face of a rim joist in a parallel and spaced relationship from said at least one face of said building foundation to which said attachment plate section will be attached, said rim joist attachment section including at least one temporary rim joist attachment section support member engagement region, for temporarily supporting said rim joist attachment section on said support plate.
 2. The support attachment connection of claim 1 wherein said rim joist attachment section is a separate section attached to said support plate of said support section using at least one fastener penetrating at least one hole in said rim joist attachment section and at least one hole in said support section support plate.
 3. The support attachment connection of claim 1 wherein said rim joist attachment section is a metal rim joist.
 4. The support attachment connection of claim 1 wherein said support includes a plurality of said temporary rim joist attachment section support members spaced in a vertical direction along said support plate on a face of said support plate disposed away from said face of said building foundation, for temporarily supporting said rim joist attachment section at one of a plurality of user selectable heights.
 5. The support attachment connection of claim 1, wherein said temporary rim joist attachment section support member includes a first surface having a portion which is raised or protrudes from the remainder of said first surface.
 6. The attachment bracket of claim 1 wherein said rim joist attachment section includes a generally U-shaped rim joist attachment section.
 7. A support attachment bracket for use with a building foundation having at least one face substantially perpendicular to the ground, said support attachment bracket comprising: a support section having an attachment plate section disposed substantially perpendicular to the ground, and a support plate, coupled to said attachment plate section and disposed substantially perpendicular to said attachment plate section and parallel to said at least one face of said building foundation, said support including at least one temporary rim joist attachment section support member, for temporarily supporting a rim joist attachment section; and a metal rim joist supported by, and generally parallel with, said support plate, and including at least one region oriented parallel to and a spaced distance from said at least one face of said building foundation to which said attachment plate section will be attached, for maintaining a longitudinal face of said metal rim joist in a parallel and spaced relationship from said at least one face of said building foundation to which said attachment plate section will be attached, said metal rim joist including at least one temporary rim joist attachment section support member engagement region, for temporarily supporting said metal rim joist attachment section on said support plate.
 8. A support attachment bracket for use with a building foundation having at least one face substantially perpendicular to the ground and a building foundation insulation board disposed against and parallel to said building foundation face, said support attachment bracket comprising: a support section having an attachment plate section disposed substantially perpendicular to said at least one building foundation face and inserted through said building foundation insulation board and into said building foundation and disposed substantially perpendicular to the ground, and a support plate, coupled to said attachment plate section and disposed substantially perpendicular to said attachment plate section and parallel to said at least one face of said building foundation, said support plate including at least one temporary rim joist attachment section support member, for temporarily supporting a rim joist attachment section; and a rim joist attachment section supported by, and generally parallel with, said support plate, and including at least one rim joist attachment plate oriented parallel to said at least one face of said building foundation to which said attachment plate section will be attached, for maintaining a longitudinal face of a rim joist in a parallel relationship from said at least one face of said building foundation to which said attachment plate section will be attached, said rim joist attachment section including at least one temporary rim joist attachment section support member engagement region, for temporarily supporting said rim joist attachment section on said support plate. 